POLITICAL Economy

African Union Accredits Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Centre

by admin on | 2026-10-30 19:07:35

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African Union Accredits Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Centre 

By Maryam Muhammad 

The African Union has officially accredited Nigeria's National Counter Terrorism Centre, under the Office of the National Security Adviser, as an African Union Regional Centre of Excellence in Counter Terrorism for West Africa and the Sahel.

The milestone fulfils the strategic vision declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the High-Level African Counter Terrorism Meeting in Abuja in April 2024, formally positioning the Centre to drive intelligence sharing, operational coordination, and specialised training across the continent.

The Head of Strategic Communication at NCTC-ONSA, Abu I. Michael, confirmed in an official statement issued on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, that the designation confers on the Centre an expanded regional mandate to support African Union Member States through technical assistance, joint threat analysis, and capacity building.

The accreditation was announced on Monday, 27 October 2026, by the acting Director of the African Union Counter Terrorism Centre, Dr Idriss Mounir Lallali, on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, at the conclusion of the African Lessons Learned Forum in Abuja.

Dr Lallali stated that the recognition follows a rigorous evaluation of the Centre’s institutional governance, training curricula, analytical capabilities, coordination mechanisms, and adherence to human rights standards.

The accreditation process began with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the African Union and the NCTC in September 2025, followed by an AUCTC technical assessment mission to Abuja in December 2025 that established the Accreditation Roadmap.

Dr Lallali announced that the African Union Commission will formally convey the decision to the Federal Government of Nigeria through a Note Verbale, granting an initial renewable three-year tenure outlining regional responsibilities and mutual commitments.

Speaking at the event, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the NCTC National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, described the accreditation as both a milestone for Nigeria and a responsibility to advance continental peace.

Malam Nuhu Ribadu expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained investment in national security architecture, noting that the achievement advances the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The National Security Adviser commended the AU Commission and Dr Lallali for their technical guidance, while praising Major General Adamu Garba Laka, the personnel of the Centre, inter-agency security partners, and civil society for driving the accreditation process to completion.